Better Internet for Kids

Child Focus (part of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre), the private sector, and primary schools across Belgium joined forces in October and March to deliver 410 Internet Safe & Fun workshops. Employees from twelve companies cleared their schedules to teach grade 5-6 primary students some basic notions regarding online safety, particularly around privacy, cyberbullying, sexting, and online friendships. In recent years, Child Focus has seen a sharp increase in reports on online issues. Thanks to the Internet Safe & Fun workshops, hundreds of schools receive free support to strengthen their students’ media literacy.

Several countries, including French-speaking Belgium, are considering banning the use of social media for children and teens under the age of 15. Social media is often cited as the main cause of cyberbullying and, more broadly, mental health issues among young people. It is therefore seen as something children need to be protected from. However, three recent position papers from Betternet partners (the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) Child Focus, Média Animation, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Éducation aux Médias (CSEM), and Mediawijs, point in the same direction: a ban is not the right solution.

The Portuguese Safer Internet Centre had the opportunity to contribute to the DSA for YOUth webinar “The DSA goes to school: how teachers can help keep students safe online” that took place on 30 October 2025, and to present a glimpse of the work in the field.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) obliges large social networks to provide greater security and transparency on the internet. The Safer Internet Centre Austria provides an overview of what this means in Austria and Europe for the protection of children and young people on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms.

Every year, Child Focus observes an increase in cases related to disappearances and sexual exploitation of minors. In 2024, the organisation opened an average of five new runaway cases per day. These are five young people sending a strong signal that something is wrong in their lives. On the occasion of mental health week, Child Focus introduced a new prevention tool: the MAX-Box.

In a world that is increasingly characterised by algorithms, screens and artificial intelligence, it is more urgent than ever to prepare young people to navigate the digital world critically, consciously and safely. The CIS Digital Camp, an initiative of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre (CIS) coordinated by the Portuguese National Cybersecurity Centre (CNCS), is a bold and timely response to this challenge.

On 6 November, the partners of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre Betternet (Mediawijs, CSEM, Média Animation, and Child Focus) organised a day of reflection and networking focused on the online lives of LGBTIQ* youth.

“Your safe place” is a section of SaferInternet4Kids and SafeLine (part of the Greek Safer Internet Centre), and it is an online space designed specifically to support children who may encounter harmful, confusing, or frightening experiences online. It aims to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical support.

On 18 November, the European day for the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, Child Focus (part of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) launched the online platform “Payboy” to shed light on the issue of sextortion.

Through synergies resulting from the Cabinet of the Portuguese Minister of the Presidency and the National Cybersecurity Centre, and within the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, a national digital campaign against cyberbullying was launched in Portugal in autumn 2025.